97.1 TheFan - The Big Show Blog

Brady Hoke Interview on Bishop & Rothman

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:05:50 GMT

Michigan football coach Brady Hoke spoke with Beau and Anthony

Jay Bilas talks NBA Draft and Cavaliers

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:26:22 GMT

ESPN's Jay Bilas called into the program Wednesday and talked about the possibilities for the Cavs now that they've won the rights to pick #1. Listen in to see who Bilas thinks is the top draft prospect and what the Cavs should do with the pick. Listen to the full interview here...

The Indians Hot Start Explained

Fri, 17 May 2013 19:08:47 GMT

The Man who assembled the team that's currently 22-17 and leading the American League Central joined Bishop and Rothman today.

You can listen to general manager Chris Antonetti give his take on the Indians remarkably hot start here:

OSU Women's Basketball Coach Kevin McGuff

Thu, 16 May 2013 19:23:33 GMT

OSU's new women's Head Basketball Coach Kevin McGuff called into the program Thursday afternoon and talked about "invigorating" the OSU fanbase and becoming one of the top University's in the country in developing players on and off the court. Listen to McGuff talk about recruiting ohio and all around the country and world to continue to build the Lady Buckeyes in the upcoming years.....

2014 Buckeye Football Schedule

Thu, 16 May 2013 17:00:19 GMT

The Big Ten today released the league's schedule for 2014. With that in place, we now have a complete picture of how the 2014 schedule plays out...

2014 Ohio State Football Schedule

Aug. 30 – vs. Navy (at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium)

Sept. 6 – Off

Sept. 13 – Kent State

Sept. 20 – Virginia Tech

Sept. 27 – Cincinnati

Oct. 4 – at Maryland

Oct. 11 – Off

Oct. 18 – Rutgers

Oct. 25 – at Penn State

Nov. 1 – Illinois

Nov. 8 – at Michigan State

Nov. 15 – at Minnesota

Nov. 22 – Indiana

Nov. 29 – Michigan

Dec. 6 – Big Ten Championship Game

Click HERE to view the 2014 schedule for all of the Big Ten teams

OSU Football Asst. Strength Coach Anthony Schlegel

Tue, 14 May 2013 19:07:08 GMT

Former OSU linebacker Anthony Schlegel called into the program and get's grilled by friend and former teamate Bobby Carpenter about the Buckeyes and Mickey Marotti's offseason workout program. Anthony talks about the intense atmosphere of the weightroom this offseason and even gets to talk about his Texas hog hunting adventures to help feed the needy.

Reds Live's Jim Day

Mon, 13 May 2013 18:15:41 GMT

Reds announcer Jim Day joined the program to talk about the Reds surviving early injuries and coming out above .500 during a tough early schedule. Day also talks about team leadership, Bruce's twitter controversy, and what the Reds will need to do to get better playing on the road.

NCAA unfair to college football players? Dan Wetzel chimes in

Fri, 10 May 2013 18:42:58 GMT

Yahoo Sports' Dan Wetzel came on the program and talked about the money making machine that is College Football. Dan touches on how much money is being brought in a year in college football, whether TV deals like the SEC and ESPN now have are a conflict of interest, and if it's fair that college athletes can't profit off of their college fame. The conversation wraps up with basketball talk, including Dan's recent article stating that tSUN should be the ones apologizing to Chris Webber...

OSU Athletic Director Gene Smith

Fri, 03 May 2013 18:12:05 GMT

Gene Smith joined Bishop & Rothman Wednesday and talked about OSU football's upcoming game schedules, balancing new age and tradition, and the possibility of OSU vs. Michigan being played underneath the lights.

Mike Florio on Bishop & Rothman

Wed, 01 May 2013 19:40:26 GMT

Each Wednesday Mike joins the program and talks about all the latest in NFL news and last week was a busy week around the league with the NFL draft. Find out where Florio rates Andy Dalton amongst the rest of the QB's in the league after he got another weapon in the draft in the form of TE Tyler Eifert. Also, how did he feel about the Browns trading picks in this year's draft for picks in next year's draft. Listen below for more on the Brown's and Bengal's draft, as well as what other teams he thought did well or not so hot in the draft..

CBJ Coach Todd Richards

Wed, 01 May 2013 18:48:02 GMT

Todd Richards joined Bishop & Rothman Tuesday and talked about doing a lot of good things this season, but for him and the players on the team, it wasn't good enough. Richards address how the CBJ culture is changing with accountability and how they keep moving forward into next season. Listen to the full interview below..

The Grades Are In

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:32:08 GMT

Here’s a quick snapshot of what the experts thought about the Browns and Bengals draft hauls. Note that all the quotes provided are merely a snyopsis, so if you’re interested in the complete breakdown, you are highly encouraged to click through!

BROWNS

NFL Network fans’ grade: C

Mike Mayock on Cleveland’s first round pick, Barkevious Mingo: ”It’s a pass-first league, and every team in the league is looking for a guy that can go hunt. He’s an explosive presence off the edge.”

Fox Sports Floyd Engel: B

“They have a GM, a real-deal GM.”

Fox Sports Alex Marvez: C-

“Outside LB Mingo provides some bark to Cleveland’s Dawg Pound, but the Browns added only more player (San Diego State cornerback Leon McFadden) before Round Six.”

Fox Sports Peter Schrager: B+

“This was a productive draft for the long term.”

NBC’s Evan Silva: C

“Lombardi’s first draft haul underwhelms on paper, but the Browns can capitalize on his forward-minded thinking next year.”

ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr.: C+

“The hope is Mingo becomes a star, and McFadden can perform early. The good news is, both could happen.”

CBS Sports analyst Pete Prisco: C

“In his first draft as general manager, I just didn’t get the wow factor from Mike Lombardi. I like Mingo, but I thought they had other needs. They did add receiver Devone Bess in a trade for very little.”

BENGALS

NFL Network fans’ grade: B

Mike Mayock on Cincinnati’s first round pick, Tyler Eifert: ”The Andy Dalton thing is critical. Remember, they’ve lost two years in a row to Houston in the wild card. How do you get over that hump? You need another playmaker, and Dalton has to take another step up.”

Fox Sports Floyd Engel: B

“I love the Tyler Eifert pick…and SMU’s Margus Hunt basically adds another beast to Mike Zimmer’s defense.”

Fox Sports Alex Marvez: B

“Needs at running back and strong safety were filled with Gio Bernard (second round) and Shawn Williams (third round).”

Fox Sports Peter Schrager: A

“Eifert and Bernard will both make immediate impacts.”

NBC’s Evan Silva: B

“Quarterback remains an issue in Cincinnati, but the rest of the roster is becoming awfully good.”

ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr.: A-

“The Bengals somehow didn’t address a pretty big need early (and they don’t have many) and still really impressed me.”

CBS Sports analyst Pete Prisco: A

“For the second consecutive year, the Bengals had a big haul. They landed a lot of quality players for a roster that already had a bunch. There is no more laughing at the way they draft.”

Goosebumps and Butterflies

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:50:34 GMT

Attendance for the Blue Jackets season finale was 19,002, and watching those fans fill up Nationwide Arena was an apt metaphor for a season that would start slowly, but build into a storyline that eventually captured the attention of Columbus and beyond.

Cam Atkinson said the roar of the crowd gave him butterflies. General manager Jarmo Kekäläinen told us he got goosebumps. Hear from Atkinson, Kekäläinen, Jack Johnson and Nick Foligno, as well as watch CBJ supporters pack the house in the video below.

Columbus would beat Nashville 3-1 that night, but fall short of the playoffs due to Minnesota’s 3-1 win over Colorado later that evening.

-Lori Schmidt

CBJ Right Wing Cam Atkinson

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 18:47:14 GMT

One of the stars of the CBJ's win on the road at Dallas Thursday night Cam Atkinson joined Bishop & Rothman Friday afternoon to talk about the Blue Jackets improbable run towards the playoffs this season. Atikinson scored twice in the 3-1 win which brings the Jackets to their home game with Nashville this Saturday still needing a win and a loss from the Red Wings or Minnesota Wild. Listen to the full interview here...

Beau Bishop catches up with Buckeye Deshaun Thomas

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:29:33 GMT

Beau recently ran into now former Buckeye Deshaun Thomas and talked about his preperations for the draft and how tough it was to make the decision to leave early and declare for the draft. Thomas even had some advice for Beau about his basketball game...

Marian Gaborik on Bishop & Rothman

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 19:14:15 GMT

Marian Gaborik was aquired by the Blue Jackets at the trade deadline and has made an immediate impact in the teams improbably run at the playoffs. Marian talks about sizing up the last couple of games before the playoffs and also talks about what his first impression of the young Blue Jackets team was when he arrived from New York. Listen to the full interview below..

Last Year's Reid Fragel....Reid Fragel

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 19:11:47 GMT

Coach Urban Meyer has said more than once to the media this spring season that they are looking for the next Reid Fragel at Ohio State, turning the Tight End turned Offensive Tackle into the Buckeyes model for a player that improves his game greatly and becomes an impact player. Reid Fragel talks with Anthony Rothman and Dave Biddle about the praise from Coach Meyer and also how he is preparing himself for the upcoming NFL Draft. Listen to the complete interview here..

Merker weighs in on the Dodgers/Padres Brawl

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 17:30:30 GMT

There has been a lot of talk and debate about the intent of the pitch of Zach Greinke that hit Carolos Quentin and caused the following brouhaha in the Dodgers/Padres game Thursday night. Former big league pitcher and guest of the progam's "Chin Music" segment Kent Merker made an improptu appearance Friday to share his opinion of the pitch, Quentin's reaction, and baseball's unwritten rules. Listen to the full interview here...

Blue Jacket's Matt Calvert

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:34:03 GMT

Blue Jacket's winger Matt Calvert joined the program Wednesday afternoon and talked about the teams trade for Marian Gaborik, the road challenges ahead to get into the playoffs, and what kind of a teamate goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is...

Ross' game winner as called by Paul Keels!

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 15:22:27 GMT

The voice of the Buckeyes Paul Keels (with an assist from Ron Stokes!) has the call on Laquinton Ross' game winner against Arizona. Listen here

Audio is courtesy of The Ohio State-IMG Sports Network as heard on 97.1 The Fan!

Kent Merker on the Reds, Indians, and the teams to watch out for

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 19:44:23 GMT

With less than a week until Opening Day, Kent Merker joined the program and talked about big expectations for the Reds, the impact of the Indians offseason FA signings, and who he thinks are the teams to beat in the NL and AL this season. Listen to the full conversation with the lefty here....

Jeff Boals on Bishop & Rothman

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 18:26:29 GMT

Bishop & Rothman talked with Buckeye Assistant Coach Jeff Boals about the Buckeyes heading into the tournament. Boals also answered questions on how he feels about one and done players, scouting tournament opponents, and if he prefers matchups over location when it comes to the tournament. Listen to the interview here...

Blue Jackets President John Davidson talking....playoffs?

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 17:31:41 GMT

Blue Jackets President John Davidson made time to call into the program Friday afternoon. The Jackets head man talked about all the positives of heading east with realignment landing the Blue Jackets in the Eastern Conference next season, along with the future of Sergei Bobrovsky and if the Blue Jackets can make last chance playoff push this season. Listen to the full interview here..

Yahoo Sports' Dan Wetzel on Bishop & Rothman

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 16:58:49 GMT

Yahoo Sports' Dan Wetzel was featured on the program Thursday afternoon talking about the controversial Steubenville football player rape trial in which he recently published an article about. Listen to the full interview with Dan here...

Evan Ravenel on Bishop & Rothman

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 19:20:45 GMT

The Buckeyes lone senior Evan Ravenel joined the program Friday afternoon and talked about his upcoming final home game against Illinois. Evan had a big game at Indiana earlier this week, did Thad Matta's sideline explosion at Northwestern have anything to do with him kicking up his game a few notches? He talks about that and going into the B10 and NCAA tournament with Bishop & Rothman here...